Agents urged to help tackle digital divide for home movers

A digital divide has emerged when it comes to moving home. 

Research by anti-money laundering (AML) platform Thirdfort has found that 46%) of those working in professional or managerial jobs have used digital tools when moving home, but this drops to 29% for those in skilled, semi-skilled or unskilled jobs.

The survey of 2,054 UK adults by YouGov also shows that 14% of homeowners working in professional or managerial jobs have used digital tools to verify their identity with a property professional. 

However, just 4% of homeowners in skilled, semi-skilled or unskilled jobs have used such tools. 

Meanwhile, only 6% of those working in skilled or manual occupations have used a digital tool to share bank statements, while 15% of those working in professional or managerial jobs have. 
 

The digital divide extends to other areas moving home. Some 15% of those in professional or managerial jobs have used a web portal to conduct an online mortgage application and 13% have used an online tool to assess property values, just 4% and 6% of those in skilled or manual jobs have done the same.      

Olly Thornton-Berry, co-founder and managing director of Thirdfort, said: “Moving home is being transformed by digital tools. Innovations now enable homebuyers to conduct ID and anti-money laundering verification digitally, cutting transaction times by up to a month and reducing the risk of fraud and money laundering. 

Technology can and should benefit all, no matter their circumstances. Many estate agents, lawyers and lenders have adopted digital client verification. More property professionals should embrace such technology for all.”